Taking a glance at FantasyPros’ expert consensus rankings (ECR) for the upcoming season, five of the top 16 players in the top three tiers are running backs. I expect that number to climb even further after the conclusion of 2025. Let’s dive into a few running backs I’m targeting in fantasy football drafts.

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Must-Draft Running Backs

There are several players I’m looking to target on all of my squads this year, both veterans and rookies alike. Below is a list of several candidates, organized by preseason average draft position (ADP). With running backs, I generally shoot for upside based upon a few factors:

• What percentage of the backfield touches do I anticipate this player having?
• What sort of scheme does the offense run?
• How talented is the offensive line in front of them, and can they create running lanes?
• Is the running back an adept receiver out of the backfield, or purely given carries?
• How old is the player, and how much “tread on the tires “do they have?

Based upon that criteria, here are four must-draft running backs I expect to outperform their current ADP.

Aaron Jones (RB – MIN)

I know what you might be thinking: Didn’t I just mention that age was a factor when considering players I wanted to endorse? And isn’t Aaron Jones 30 years old? He sure is.

Consider these factors for a moment. First, Jones is coming off the best season of his career, rushing for 1,138 yards and adding another 408 as a receiver on 51 receptions. Second, Minnesota made a major point of emphasis to overhaul the interior of their offensive line in the offseason, signing center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries to large contracts in free agency, and then using their first-round selection on Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson, who will likely start at left guard. As their interior ranked in the bottom 10 last season in run blocking win rate, this is a leap forward in creating running lanes for Jones to work with.

Jones’ 51 receptions had him tied for the eighth-most at the position in 2024, and no other running back on Minnesota’s roster is a more skilled outlet for quarterback J.J. McCarthy to utilize than Jones. Speaking of McCarthy, it is in the best interests of Minnesota to have a veteran presence in the backfield to ease him in as a starter and provide a safety outlet in case of pressure — another point in the Jones column. The Vikings traded for and then signed Jordan Mason to a middling two-year deal after his breakout last year in San Francisco, but I don’t envision him providing anything other than a breather for Jones in 2025.

Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)

I’m not alone aboard the Omarion Hampton train, but there is plenty of room for everyone to climb aboard before August. His inclusion here is self-explanatory. Running backs in Jim Harbaugh’s systems touch the ball early and often, and Hampton is a far greater talent than the incumbent Najee Harris.

With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards out of the picture and Harris inked to a one-year “prove it” deal, I expect Hampton to take over this backfield in short order. A prolific force of nature at North Carolina the past few seasons, Hampton finished third last season in rushing yards with 1,660, averaging 5.9 yards per carry (YPC) for the second straight season.

Hampton is an adept receiver for someone his size (6-foot-0, 220 pounds) and capable of running around or through defenders at a whim. He won’t come off the field due to concerns about pass blocking, a trait that occasionally hinders playing time for rookies. Hampton might start initially in a timeshare, but things will trend in his favor quickly, and his ceiling is sky-high.

D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI)

I’ve long been a fan of D’Andre Swift’s talent, and we’ve officially reached the “all the pieces have aligned for a great season” territory in his career. Swift had a solid first season in Chicago, rushing for 959 yards on 253 carries, scoring six rushing touchdowns, and adding 42 receptions for 386 yards as a receiver.

One of the unquestioned biggest winners of the offseason due to the lack of competition that the Bears brought in behind him, it is evident that leadership feels comfortable handing the majority of touches to him in 2025. Chicago completely revamped their offensive line from start to finish, inking guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, along with center Drew Dalman, to massive contracts in free agency.

The Bears then used the 56th overall pick on offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and left tackle Braxton Jones is returning. For as much of an Achilles’ heel that this line was last year (they allowed a league-high 68 sacks and couldn’t block at all), it has now become a strength. Opposing defenses will have a difficult time loading the box against Chicago’s deep group of pass-catchers, allowing Swift to face less attention in the box.

Even though it feels like Swift has been in the league for an eternity, he is still just 26 years old, and his best season is ahead of him.

Chuba Hubbard (RB – CAR)

During his fourth year with Carolina, Chuba Hubbard broke out and became a low-end fantasy RB1 for the back half of the season. Finishing with 1,195 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 250 carries (all career highs), Hubbard was the RB13 in fantasy points per game.

The Panthers finished last season on a high note, winning two of their final three games with quarterback Bryce Young finally having it all “click” after being benched earlier in 2024. Carolina added Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall selection in the NFL Draft. Expect youngsters Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker to take steps forward with their development.

Hubbard shouldn’t lose many snaps to backups Rico Dowdle or Trevor Etienne, and will see all of the goal-line work for the Panthers. Carolina’s defense was utterly atrocious last year, and forced the team into pass-first situations playing from behind down the stretch. Upgrades to the defensive front will allow the game plan to remain more balanced, affording Hubbard more opportunities.

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